Resetting your Google Home Mini or Nest Mini is an easy process. You can do it either as a last resort in troubleshooting your device, or just wiping it clean for a new owner.
Read on to find out how to complete the process
Difference between rebooting and resetting
Rebooting (Also known as power cycle, or restarting a device) is different to a technical “reset”. Rebooting simply means to turn the device off then on again.
To reset your device is to restore it to an earlier point, commonly to factory defaults. When you reset your device from scratch, all settings and configurations are erased.
There are many reasons to do this, and it’s common to do it when encountering device problems. It also has some privacy value which enables you to clear out any personal data gathered by your Google Mini.
Warning: resetting will clear all data!
Even though resetting to factory defaults is a common procedure, you need to be aware that doing so will erase any data you have previously saved such as preferences and settings.
This cannot be undone, and you’ll need to redo your previous setups and linking of smart devices (smartphones, thermostats, etc.)
How to Reset a 1st Gen Google Home Mini
The Google Home Mini looks like such a simple device, but it’s pretty complex with what it can do. Fortunately resetting it is simple and you can do it in less than a minute. Follow these steps:
- Locate the factory reset button on the bottom of your Home Mini. You’ll find an etched circle close to the power cord connector.
- Press and hold the button. Within 5 seconds the factory reset process will begin.
- Keep holding for around 10 seconds more.
- You may release it when the device makes a notification sound. This indicates that it is resetting.
How to Reset a 2nd Gen Google Home Mini (Nest Mini)
The Nest Mini came in a couple of years after the Google Home Mini. It has almost the same look as the 1st gen version, but you’ll recognize the 2nd gen by its wall-mount hole underneath.
And here’s how you reset it:
- First, turn off the mic on your Home/Nest Mini using the Mute switch on the side.
- After the LED lights change to orange, press and hold in the middle area where the lights are located. The process will initiate in 5 seconds.
- Continue to hold up to 10 seconds more until you hear a notification sound, confirming the device is resetting.
Common Questions about Resetting a Google Home Mini
How do I know if the reset was successful?
Your Home Mini will undergo some processes to complete reset, like deregistering itself from your account. This could take around a minute.
The Google Home/Nest Mini will start up like it was turned on for the first time.
It’ll make a welcoming chime and will instruct you how to set up.
Troubleshooting Tips
So you tried the steps above to reset your Google Home Mini but encountered some unexpected results. Maybe the light doesn’t change, or the device made no sounds while doing the steps. It should.
Have you tried calling out “Hey, Google”? Any responses? If not, we’ll need to do a longer workaround. Try these steps:
- First, unplug the power cord.
- After 10 seconds, plug it back in.
- After the four LED lights turn on, repeat Step 1-2. You’ll have to do this 10 more times. (Sounds crazy but is actually the solution – see here)
- Once you’ve done it all, you’ll have activated the reset process. Wait until your device completes it.
Reasons for resetting your Google Home Mini
Running into problems with the Google Home Mini can be remedied with a bit of DIY. Especially with the amount of help online.
Below are common reasons to reset your device
- Connectivity problems or not finding devices
- Stopped working or not responding
- Constantly rebooting
- Music not playing
- Other features not working
If you’ve thought about selling your Google Home Mini, that’s a perfect reason to reset it. You don’t want to hand it over with some of your personal stuff still inside. It’d be helpful to wipe your device clean and give the next user a fresh slate to work with.
About the Google Home Mini
Google’s Home Mini packs a lot of smarts inside a product as small as a rock. Home Mini is the cloud and AI-powered smart speaker made by the global tech company. Behind it is the power of Google search and Google Assistant, one of the leading voice technologies.
The 1st generation Home Mini was Google’s second smart speaker released to the public. It followed Google’s first flagship, Home, retaining similar functionalities while greatly reducing size.
Smart Home Integrations
Aside from Google Assistant, the Home Mini has integration with a whole host of smart devices. This integration gives you a large vocabulary of voice commands. This enables you to build your smart home without the worry of incompatibility.
It features a full 360 sound, some useful touch functionality, and LED status lights. Those and all the clever interactions and commands you can do with not just the speaker, but also your connected smart devices.
Google’s smart speakers product line has now been rebranded into Nest. We now find Home Mini’s successor as Nest Mini. As of November 2020, Google continues to sell Home Mini at a much-reduced price in the US, albeit the same as the Nest Mini
About Google Assistant
“Hey, Google.”
Say it loud enough around your phone, there’s a good chance of a response. We don’t claim responsibility for making you feel like a boss, but guess what? You have an assistant.
Google Assistant. That’s the name of Google’s AI-enabled voice assistant.
To make voice commands using your Google Assistant-enabled device, you use the wake word “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google”. Even when you’re offline, you can do a bunch of helpful voice commands on your phone. Connecting to the network increases what you can do many times over.
History
When Google Now was launched back in 2012, it built the foundation for today’s Google Assistant. Back then, it only had Apple’s Siri as the main competitor. Google Assistant came with the original Google Home when it debuted in 2016. Aside from Siri then, they were also up against Amazon’s smart speaker and voice assistant – Echo and Alexa.
Currently, you have access to Google Assistant with plenty of voice-enabled devices, making your life more hands-free. It’s easily available on Google-related devices such as Android smartphones or tablets, and smartwatches. It’s also available on cars with Android Auto, Android TVs, compatible smartwatches, and many more.
Smart Speakers
By making smartphones or Google smart speakers your home’s smart hub, you can use Google Assistant on more devices. Dim your lights, schedule your robot vacuum, or turn off the AC and switch to heating. Whatever it is, thanks to developments in voice technology, the list keeps growing larger. If your main language is not English, maybe Google supports it. Try it!